Parking stories in the News/media

Le_Kirk

Nellymoser said:

🤷‍♂️  had to Google that one Le_Kirk 

About the first Latin/law phrase I learned when I started on here and I still have it pinned on my cork board along with contra proferentem.

James_Poisson

kryten3000 said:

"A parking firm [Bank Parking] has been ordered to shut a second unauthorised site in Sheffield - or face an ‘unlimited fine’.

https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/consumer/sheffield-parking-bank-park-ordered-to-close-second-site-or-risk-unlimited-fine-5292637

Shouldn't they also be made to refund any PCN's issued too?

Umkomaas

James_Poisson said:

kryten3000 said:

"A parking firm [Bank Parking] has been ordered to shut a second unauthorised site in Sheffield - or face an ‘unlimited fine’.

https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/consumer/sheffield-parking-bank-park-ordered-to-close-second-site-or-risk-unlimited-fine-5292637

Shouldn't they also be made to refund any PCN's issued too?

Just needs a clever ambulance-chasing law firm to stick an ad in that newspaper - 'no win, no fee' offer!

1505grandad

James_Poisson said:

kryten3000 said:

"A parking firm [Bank Parking] has been ordered to shut a second unauthorised site in Sheffield - or face an ‘unlimited fine’.

https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/consumer/sheffield-parking-bank-park-ordered-to-close-second-site-or-risk-unlimited-fine-5292637

Shouldn't they also be made to refund any PCN's issued too?

Wonder if the DVLA has been advised in accordance with the KADOE contract (not that they would care anyway):-

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/current_dvla_kadoe_agreement_for/response/2567601/attach/4/FOIR11172 UK Car Park Management Ltd Redacted.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1

"G2. Publicity and Media

G2.1. The Customer shall notify the DVLA immediately if any circumstances arise which could result in publicity or media attention to the Customer which could adversely reflect on the DVLA or the KADOE Service."

Thorndorise

1505grandad said:

James_Poisson said:

kryten3000 said:

"A parking firm [Bank Parking] has been ordered to shut a second unauthorised site in Sheffield - or face an ‘unlimited fine’.

https://www.thestar.co.uk/business/consumer/sheffield-parking-bank-park-ordered-to-close-second-site-or-risk-unlimited-fine-5292637

Shouldn't they also be made to refund any PCN's issued too?

Wonder if the DVLA has been advised in accordance with the KADOE contract (not that they would care anyway):-

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/current_dvla_kadoe_agreement_for/response/2567601/attach/4/FOIR11172 UK Car Park Management Ltd Redacted.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1

"G2. Publicity and Media

G2.1. The Customer shall notify the DVLA immediately if any circumstances arise which could result in publicity or media attention to the Customer which could adversely reflect on the DVLA or the KADOE Service."

Great question, I think we all know the answer, sounds like a FOI coming on!

Car1980

This doesn't reflect very well on DCB Legal does it 

Car1980

And the winner in the comments 😆

Umkomaas

Car1980 said:

This doesn't reflect very well on DCB Legal does it 

For they that sleep with dogs, shall rise with fleas!

bill6262

A THIRD party company has agreed to cancel and refund parking fines from Leigh Health Centre following protests from dozens of disgruntled residents.

With UK Parking Control (UKPC) operating the parking system at Leigh Health Centre, there has been several complaints over the past year as residents feel they have been unjustly penalised when attending a medical appointment at The Avenue facility.

Several patients have reported being fined £60, with the potential of rising to £100 and debt collectors getting involved if left unpaid, even when they have signed their registration number at the reception iPad as requested.

'Absolutely disgraceful'

One of those who has been incorrectly fined is Debbie Harrison, from Leigh, who said: "I went to the doctors because I needed a blood pressure monitor fitted, and signed in properly, but then a few days later I was sent a parking fine of £60.

"The receptionist said that there has been an issue with the iPad, but it's difficult to find out who you can complain to [because of the third party operator].

"I tried to contest it but on the day of my husband's funeral, another letter came through saying that they [UKPC] had looked at the evidence and the fine had been reduced to £20, without explaining their decision any further."

"I was just going to pay it but then I thought if everyone carries on paying it, nothing will get done", Debbie added.

"It's really stressful getting a letter like that, which threatens debt collectors if you don't pay, and I've heard of a few people paying it even when they have done nothing wrong.

"My friend was even charged twice and she didn't realise, and I know people have been putting off going to the doctor's because of the anxiety around getting fined. It's absolutely disgraceful."

Fines cancelled

Instead of paying the fine, Debbie fought back and raised the issue with Leigh and Atherton MP, Jo Platt, who has had similar concerns from dozens of residents who were wrongly issued fines when attending appointments.

With the MP working behind the scenes to address the concerns, UKPC has now agreed to cancel all fines issued on identified dates, including those currently under appeal.

Additionally, any visitors who have already paid an incorrect fine will receive a full refund, and UKPC has ceased ANPR enforcement at Leigh Health Centre - including the use of the tablet registration system - while the investigation remains ongoing.

The Operations and Relationship Manager at Community Health Partnerships, which manages Leigh Health Centre on behalf of the NHS, said: “The parking system at Leigh Health Centre is operated by UKPC.

"We are aware that a limited number of patients attending Leigh Health Centre have received parking fines incorrectly.

"We have taken immediate action to investigate and have worked closely with UKPC to resolve the matter.

"UKPC has confirmed that all fines issued on the identified dates — including those under appeal — will automatically be cancelled.

"Any visitors who have already paid an incorrect fine will receive a full refund. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience or distress this may have caused.”

https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/25404122.residents-protest-incorrect-leigh-health-centre-parking-fines/

Coupon-mad

This is a great article for using to illustrate the answer to this question in the Public Consultation:

Reduced charge for certain mitigating circumstances

Question 18(a): Do you think that the Code should include a reduced charge for a parking charge that meets one or more of the mitigating circumstances or do you think that the parking charge should be cancelled?

I am going to put this as a big fat 'NO' which is: 'Cancellation of Charge'

This lady nails it:

"I tried to contest it but on the day of my husband's funeral, another letter came through saying that they [UKPC] had looked at the evidence and the fine had been reduced to £20, without explaining their decision any further.

I was just going to pay it but then I thought if everyone carries on paying it, nothing will get done". It's really stressful getting a letter like that, which threatens debt collectors if you don't pay, and I've heard of a few people paying it even when they have done nothing wrong.

"My friend was even charged twice and she didn't realise, and I know people have been putting off going to the doctor's because of the anxiety around getting fined. It's absolutely disgraceful."

And this comment on the article is worth repeating to the MHCLG in your own words.  How can an appellant (three or more weeks later) reasonably be expected to somehow bear the burden to 'show' that the terminal that doesn't have a receipt (by email, text or paper) option, didn't work?

"The problem with these “sign in” terminals is that as a user you cannot get any proof that you have signed in. They are becoming more common, pubs, shops etc now ask customers to register their visit. At the end of the day, it is the parking companies word against the customers as to who is correct."